Partition holder for counters



Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED `s'mTEs PATE EDMUND MORRIS, OF GRANDRAPIDS, MICI-TIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GRAND RAPIDS STORE EQUIPMENTCORPORATION, OF GRAND RAPIDE), MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGANPARTITION HOLDER FOR COUNTERS Application filed May 31,

This invention relates to holders for glass partitions used above thetop of a counter, table or the like in dividing the counter space into aplurality of merchandise receiving bins or compartments.

In constructions of this character vertical border members are locatedaround and secured to the side and end edges of the counter or table topand the space surrounded by said border members is first divided by theplurality of parallel vertical partitions of glass, usually extendingbetween the side border members while between the adjacent glasspartitions, or between the end partitions and the end border membersshorter lengths of glass, are used to divide the cross compartments intocompartments or bins of shorter length.

The present invention is concerned with a very simple novel andpractical device for holding the vertical glass partitions disposedabove the counter or table top between the side border members. It is anobject and purpose of the present invention to provide a device of thischaracter which may be adjusted to any desired position and which, whenthe glass partition is applied between any two of the same located atopposite sides of the counter, is automatically lockedv or gripped inposition and at the same time automatically eXerts considerable pressureagainst the ends of the glass partitions so as to hold them fromlooseness or rattling. In fact, any movementof the partitions except amovement upwardly to remove the partitions entirely from the counter topis precluded.

An understanding of the invention for the attainment of these ends maybe had from the following description taken in connect-ion with theaccompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one corner of acounter or table top with a side and end border member and showing howone of the vertical glass partition members is removably and adjustablyyet securely held in place at its end.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section through the top anda sideborder member vation previous to the application of a partition thereto,and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the holders of my invention.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figuresof the drawing.

The counter or table top 1 may be of any conventional construction,usually rectangular 1n Outline, to the side edges of which side bordermembers 2 are secured. Similar end border members 3 are secured at theend edges of the top. The means by which the border members 2 and 3 aresecured to the top is no part of the present invention. A dlstance belowthe upper edge of each of the border members and at the inner sidethereof a downwardly and outwardly continuous groove 4 is made locatedat an acute angle to the vertical plane of the inner side of the bordermember in which it is made. The holder for the ends of partitions, wherethey come against either the side or end border members, is made ofsheet metal. At its upper end it has a relatively wide flat section 5located substantially in a vertical plane, continuous with which is anarrower downwardly extending web 6 forming the web of a channel guideand retainer Which is completed by side fianges 7 turned at right anglesfrom the edges of the web 6 as shown in Figs l and 3. At the upper edgeof the section 5 a lip 8 having a length equal to the width of thesection 5 and a width slightly less than the depth of the slot or groove4 in the border member is provided by turning the metal outwardly anddownwardly at an angle to the section 5 somewhat less than a rightangle. At each end of the lip 8 short tongues 9 are turned upwardly, thesame being of the height shown at the edge of the lip 8 and tapereddownwardly to a point at the bend or angle 10 between the lip and thesection 5.

Any desired number of the sheet metal holders may be applied to theopposite side g border members 2 with the members 8 and the tongues 9thereon inserted into the groove 4:, the Width of the groove 4: beingsuflicient that the tongues 9 may be inse'rted illustrating thep'artition holder in side ele- )rftherein. When inserted in thisinanerand before any partitions are applied theretovthe upper section 5with the channel portion below it is located substantially as shown inFig. 2, that is, in a plane located at an angle 'to the vertical planeof the inner side of the border member 2.

A pair-'of theholders, one at each side of the top carried betweenopposite side border members 2, may be properly located and a partitionll, which is usually of glass, though it may be of any other material,is forced vertically downward into the channel guides provided by theWebs 6 and flanges 7.

lVhen this occurs the channel guides together with the upper section 5are forced into substantial contact with the inner sides of the bordermembers 2, the metal partition holding member *bending or springing atthe bend; and it is also evident that the tongues 9 are forced upwardlyagainst the upper sides of the grooves 4- in which they are located;engaging very Vsnugly therewith if not actually indenting orpressing`thereinto.

It is evident that as many pairs of the partition holding members may beused as desired to divide the space above the counter top into aplurality of elongated compartments extending Vacross the table. Then apart'ition has been forced downwardly between a pair of the holdingmember-s it is securely and snugly held in place. The holding memberscan not shift position respecting the border members on which they aremounted, while the tendency of. the holding membersto spring back to theposition shown in Fig. 2 causespressure to be exerted on the ends of thepartitions 11 holding them -snugly and Veliminating any possibility oflooseness or rattling. It is also evident Vthat if desired a partitionmay be Vshifted Vto a different position by merely lifting the same inan upward direction to disengage from the holders whereupon the holdersmay be shifted and the partitions again inserted in place.

The construction of holder described is also available for use on theend border members 3 to hold the ends of other short partitions locatedat right angles to and between the border members 3 and the adjacentglass cross partitions 11. The ends which contact with the partitions llwill be engaged therew-ith by use of a different structure which is nopart of the present invention but Which Will be the subject matter of acopending application, but those ends of the shorter partition which lieadjacent the border members 3VWill be held in thew same mann'er as theendsof thepartition's 11 as herein described. V

The construction described -is very practical andsmple, durablie inservice and espetci'ally effective` in operation. The inventionf V is'defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive ofall forms of structure coming Within their scope I claim: k

1. In combination with a top for a counter, table or the like, verticalmembers around said top, each. having a groove at its inner side cut atan angle to the vertical, sheet metal members located in the grooves of.opposite vborderf members each having a guiding. channel' portion,. and

vertical partitions eXtending' between said opposite border membershaving their ends slidably received in channel portions of the sheetmetal members;

2. In combination with a top for a table, counter or the like, bordermembers leX- tended upwardly from opposite edges ofthe table, each ofsaid' border members having V members when a` tached to the borde'rmembers normally having their guiding portions eXtending at an* angle tothe vertical Whereby the same are forced toward the ifnner sides of theborder member on applying' the partitions the'ret'oi, and said lips'within the groovcs are pressed/ against sid'es vof said groovcs. A

4; A device for receiving'and guiding the end`v ofa vertical partitioncomprisng, a vertical section of sheet metalI having a narrow portion`at one end, flangesbent at right angles in one direction from thenarrowerV portion of said section and a lip bent from the wider portionof' said section` in the opposite direction, said fianges'beginning ad'-jacent the lip and gradiiallyA tapering to their full height. y k

5. A construction con'taining the elements in combination defined inclaim 4, said *lip at each end thereof being' formed With projectingtongues. g

6. In combination with a ,top for a.v table, counter or the like, of avertical border member attached at one edgeofthe'top and extending abovethe same having aj groove at its inner side, anda member* of metalhaving' a substantially vertical s'ectionwider Vat oneend than at theother, substantially V Parallel flanges. exteldin'g'at right allg-liefsVfrom the edg'es ofV the narrower portionfof said section, a lip' eXte gA direction from the W :erp'ortinn ofsaid section atV an angle" thereto,said;V lip being received inthfe groove of the`horder member, andtongues eXten'ding' from the enfd14 of said border e lil 0 siintheiopposte lip, said tongues being of greatest height at the freeedge of said lip and progressively decreasing in height to the oppositeedge of the lip Where bent from said vertical section.

7. Means for receiving and guiding one end of a Vertical partitioncomprising a vertically positioned channel guide, the Web of said guidebeing Widened at one end and the flanges being correspondingly decreasedin height7 and a lip bent from the edge of said Widened portion of theWeb in a direction opposite to the opening of said channel.

8. Means for receiving and guiding onel end of a vertical partitioncomprising a vertically positioned channel guide, and a horizontal lipextending from said guide in a direction opposite to the opening of thechannel thereof, said lip being Wider than the Web of the channel guide.

In testimony Whereof I affix my signature.

EDMUND MORRIS.

